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Achilleas stared at down at her, frowning when she shook her head in honest bewilderment. “You don’t know? Your sisters…. They haven’t returned?” He looked concerned again, since he felt they should’ve beaten him here. After all he’d gone to the palace, armed and armored himself before escorting his aunt and cousin to the ship taking them safely from the besieged city.
“They… The Creed has returned. They attacked and burned the arena.” He looked sick, releasing her and running his hand through his hair before turning back to look at her. “My uncle and cousin are dead. Stephanos…. Is king now.” Achilleas inhaled sharply, his gaze dark with the remembered horrors of the last few hours. “They… Uncle’s head… was on a spike. Tried to murder the lady Olympia. But she’s fine… Or was, when I saw her last. This I swear to you, she’s with Stephanos at the palace.”
The events of the actual race, including the one poor man who perished during it were largely forgotten in the larger scheme of things. “They demand that Stephanos be turned over to them. But that will never happen.” He swore, “Not while I still draw breath. I will hunt these monsters down and slay them all before I let another member of my family perish at their hands.” He looked at her again, half lifting a hand as if to touch her face but thought better of it when he looked at the blood that stained his fingers. "I had to see you were safe. You should get inside, gather the men you have and secure the doors and windows until these fiends are stopped." He moved towards her, gesturing for her to precede him into the house. Obviously intending to see her safely indoor. "I should return to the palace and offer my sword to King Stephano, but before I go..." They'd reached the door from the garden and Achillieas touched her elbow drawing her to a halt. When she looked up at him, he leaned close, kissing her lightly once, then straightened. "For luck." He whispered, then turned on his heel, heading back to where he'd left the horse he''d borrowed tethered outside the stable.
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Achilleas stared at down at her, frowning when she shook her head in honest bewilderment. “You don’t know? Your sisters…. They haven’t returned?” He looked concerned again, since he felt they should’ve beaten him here. After all he’d gone to the palace, armed and armored himself before escorting his aunt and cousin to the ship taking them safely from the besieged city.
“They… The Creed has returned. They attacked and burned the arena.” He looked sick, releasing her and running his hand through his hair before turning back to look at her. “My uncle and cousin are dead. Stephanos…. Is king now.” Achilleas inhaled sharply, his gaze dark with the remembered horrors of the last few hours. “They… Uncle’s head… was on a spike. Tried to murder the lady Olympia. But she’s fine… Or was, when I saw her last. This I swear to you, she’s with Stephanos at the palace.”
The events of the actual race, including the one poor man who perished during it were largely forgotten in the larger scheme of things. “They demand that Stephanos be turned over to them. But that will never happen.” He swore, “Not while I still draw breath. I will hunt these monsters down and slay them all before I let another member of my family perish at their hands.” He looked at her again, half lifting a hand as if to touch her face but thought better of it when he looked at the blood that stained his fingers. "I had to see you were safe. You should get inside, gather the men you have and secure the doors and windows until these fiends are stopped." He moved towards her, gesturing for her to precede him into the house. Obviously intending to see her safely indoor. "I should return to the palace and offer my sword to King Stephano, but before I go..." They'd reached the door from the garden and Achillieas touched her elbow drawing her to a halt. When she looked up at him, he leaned close, kissing her lightly once, then straightened. "For luck." He whispered, then turned on his heel, heading back to where he'd left the horse he''d borrowed tethered outside the stable.
Achilleas stared at down at her, frowning when she shook her head in honest bewilderment. “You don’t know? Your sisters…. They haven’t returned?” He looked concerned again, since he felt they should’ve beaten him here. After all he’d gone to the palace, armed and armored himself before escorting his aunt and cousin to the ship taking them safely from the besieged city.
“They… The Creed has returned. They attacked and burned the arena.” He looked sick, releasing her and running his hand through his hair before turning back to look at her. “My uncle and cousin are dead. Stephanos…. Is king now.” Achilleas inhaled sharply, his gaze dark with the remembered horrors of the last few hours. “They… Uncle’s head… was on a spike. Tried to murder the lady Olympia. But she’s fine… Or was, when I saw her last. This I swear to you, she’s with Stephanos at the palace.”
The events of the actual race, including the one poor man who perished during it were largely forgotten in the larger scheme of things. “They demand that Stephanos be turned over to them. But that will never happen.” He swore, “Not while I still draw breath. I will hunt these monsters down and slay them all before I let another member of my family perish at their hands.” He looked at her again, half lifting a hand as if to touch her face but thought better of it when he looked at the blood that stained his fingers. "I had to see you were safe. You should get inside, gather the men you have and secure the doors and windows until these fiends are stopped." He moved towards her, gesturing for her to precede him into the house. Obviously intending to see her safely indoor. "I should return to the palace and offer my sword to King Stephano, but before I go..." They'd reached the door from the garden and Achillieas touched her elbow drawing her to a halt. When she looked up at him, he leaned close, kissing her lightly once, then straightened. "For luck." He whispered, then turned on his heel, heading back to where he'd left the horse he''d borrowed tethered outside the stable.
Emilios swore softly as he hid close to the stables, within the shadows. He heard his brother enter, wishing that he hadn't. There was nothing more than he wanted to do was to expose himself now, and he almost did. He almost stepped out of the shadows to confront him. And then, he heard what was happening beyond the villa's wall.
His breath was caught in his throat.
His uncle was dead? And his cousin? Stephanos was king?
None of this made any sense. The Creed? They hadn't been heard from in years. They had been a terror then and it seemed they had just been hiding, waiting. Ready to strike when they least expected it. Peace and prosperity had been so readily enjoyed by Taengea and now, it seemed, there were bigger things to worry about than his feelings for Theo. He was glad for a second entrance to the stables, one that would allow it to appear as if he had just arrived.
Taking a deep breath, he came around the side, looking relieved that he had found Achilleas. "Gods, I was worried about you, Brother. I've been following false leads. No one seemed to know where you'd gone. I'm in the docks less than an hour and all Hades breaks loose." His made it seem like he was out of breath, liked he'd been tearing down the streets looking for him. His hand reached out to his shoulder, clapping it gently. "You're alright then? What do you need from me?" He tried not to think of the image painted by his brother and knew he was going to have to pledge his fealty to his cousin.
His heart, once again, was in his stomach. None of this felt real. First the engagement, now the rise of the Creed? "How can I be of service, Achilleas?" Pushing his own feelings aside, he ignored Theo, ignored whatever feelings she was wearing on her sleeve and instead worried about his brother. "Tell me what you need and it will be done."
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Emilios swore softly as he hid close to the stables, within the shadows. He heard his brother enter, wishing that he hadn't. There was nothing more than he wanted to do was to expose himself now, and he almost did. He almost stepped out of the shadows to confront him. And then, he heard what was happening beyond the villa's wall.
His breath was caught in his throat.
His uncle was dead? And his cousin? Stephanos was king?
None of this made any sense. The Creed? They hadn't been heard from in years. They had been a terror then and it seemed they had just been hiding, waiting. Ready to strike when they least expected it. Peace and prosperity had been so readily enjoyed by Taengea and now, it seemed, there were bigger things to worry about than his feelings for Theo. He was glad for a second entrance to the stables, one that would allow it to appear as if he had just arrived.
Taking a deep breath, he came around the side, looking relieved that he had found Achilleas. "Gods, I was worried about you, Brother. I've been following false leads. No one seemed to know where you'd gone. I'm in the docks less than an hour and all Hades breaks loose." His made it seem like he was out of breath, liked he'd been tearing down the streets looking for him. His hand reached out to his shoulder, clapping it gently. "You're alright then? What do you need from me?" He tried not to think of the image painted by his brother and knew he was going to have to pledge his fealty to his cousin.
His heart, once again, was in his stomach. None of this felt real. First the engagement, now the rise of the Creed? "How can I be of service, Achilleas?" Pushing his own feelings aside, he ignored Theo, ignored whatever feelings she was wearing on her sleeve and instead worried about his brother. "Tell me what you need and it will be done."
Emilios swore softly as he hid close to the stables, within the shadows. He heard his brother enter, wishing that he hadn't. There was nothing more than he wanted to do was to expose himself now, and he almost did. He almost stepped out of the shadows to confront him. And then, he heard what was happening beyond the villa's wall.
His breath was caught in his throat.
His uncle was dead? And his cousin? Stephanos was king?
None of this made any sense. The Creed? They hadn't been heard from in years. They had been a terror then and it seemed they had just been hiding, waiting. Ready to strike when they least expected it. Peace and prosperity had been so readily enjoyed by Taengea and now, it seemed, there were bigger things to worry about than his feelings for Theo. He was glad for a second entrance to the stables, one that would allow it to appear as if he had just arrived.
Taking a deep breath, he came around the side, looking relieved that he had found Achilleas. "Gods, I was worried about you, Brother. I've been following false leads. No one seemed to know where you'd gone. I'm in the docks less than an hour and all Hades breaks loose." His made it seem like he was out of breath, liked he'd been tearing down the streets looking for him. His hand reached out to his shoulder, clapping it gently. "You're alright then? What do you need from me?" He tried not to think of the image painted by his brother and knew he was going to have to pledge his fealty to his cousin.
His heart, once again, was in his stomach. None of this felt real. First the engagement, now the rise of the Creed? "How can I be of service, Achilleas?" Pushing his own feelings aside, he ignored Theo, ignored whatever feelings she was wearing on her sleeve and instead worried about his brother. "Tell me what you need and it will be done."
It wasn't the time to let her go.
Achilleas panic in finding out her sisters hadn't returned made her heart sink in her stomach. Her eyes widened as she hung on his every word. And what words they were. He explained how The Creed had returned; that they'd burned the arena her sisters had been in; and her father.
And then he'd let her go.
She stumbled back a step; her hand on her stomach as her face paled. Her family was there! Achilleas turned back to her after pushing his hand through his hair; his story unfinished. The king.. the heir.. both dead. And now Lord Stephanos.. was king? And Pia! Oh, she'd been so annoyed with her this morning. She'd wished she had a clue as to how much heartache Theo was going through right now and then this had happened. She would never forgive herself if something happened to Pia. Because despite their squabbles and her irritations, she was her sister!
Theo needed to sit down. She moved slowly towards the house and sank down on a bench as Achilleas continued his tale. She should have gone. She should have been there with Lenie and Pia.. Maybe it could have been her instead. She would have been glad of it. ....Except... She glanced back at the stables, but Emilios was nowhere in sight. Achilleas voice was like background noise to her own thoughts. The chaos outside the walls; she could hear it mounting; cries of anguish and terror echoing up through the hills. What was happening out there?? Oh, why had they left Serene? They'd be safe there, instead of here in the city.
Theo flinched as his hand reached out to her; caught off-guard. He pulled away, seeing the blood on his own hands; something she hadn't noticed. He instructed her to go inside; to lock the doors and windows and Theo stood numbly as he escorted her up the stairs and inside; the shock setting in.
Stopping her at the door, his hand found her elbow and she looked up at him absently. Before she had a chance to do or say anything, he leaned down and brushed a kiss against her lips. She sucked in a breath and remained stiff and immobile during the exchange that was over as quickly as it'd begun. And then murmured something about luck before turning to leave as she pushed open the door. She had no idea what to think... and she felt utterly and completely helpless. What could she do, after all? She was only one woman. Sure she was moderately skilled with a bow and arrow, but she wouldn't take down a renegade cult with that. She pushed the door closed behind her; her mind frantic with indecision. As if finally coming to her senses, her eyes widened and she tore open the door. She'd left Emilios out there. He would help her sisters!
She hurried out onto the portico and down the stairs; stopping short when she saw both brothers together. Her eyes widened and she stared at her lover and her fiance together before amending what she was going to say at a safer distance. She glanced at Emilios as she spoke; pleading in her eyes before looking to his brother; speaking the words she needed to say to Emilios, instead to him before they left. "...Please...be safe, My Love.. Come back to me. ....And if you can, find my sisters...My father.... keep them safe as well..."
JD
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This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
Achilleas panic in finding out her sisters hadn't returned made her heart sink in her stomach. Her eyes widened as she hung on his every word. And what words they were. He explained how The Creed had returned; that they'd burned the arena her sisters had been in; and her father.
And then he'd let her go.
She stumbled back a step; her hand on her stomach as her face paled. Her family was there! Achilleas turned back to her after pushing his hand through his hair; his story unfinished. The king.. the heir.. both dead. And now Lord Stephanos.. was king? And Pia! Oh, she'd been so annoyed with her this morning. She'd wished she had a clue as to how much heartache Theo was going through right now and then this had happened. She would never forgive herself if something happened to Pia. Because despite their squabbles and her irritations, she was her sister!
Theo needed to sit down. She moved slowly towards the house and sank down on a bench as Achilleas continued his tale. She should have gone. She should have been there with Lenie and Pia.. Maybe it could have been her instead. She would have been glad of it. ....Except... She glanced back at the stables, but Emilios was nowhere in sight. Achilleas voice was like background noise to her own thoughts. The chaos outside the walls; she could hear it mounting; cries of anguish and terror echoing up through the hills. What was happening out there?? Oh, why had they left Serene? They'd be safe there, instead of here in the city.
Theo flinched as his hand reached out to her; caught off-guard. He pulled away, seeing the blood on his own hands; something she hadn't noticed. He instructed her to go inside; to lock the doors and windows and Theo stood numbly as he escorted her up the stairs and inside; the shock setting in.
Stopping her at the door, his hand found her elbow and she looked up at him absently. Before she had a chance to do or say anything, he leaned down and brushed a kiss against her lips. She sucked in a breath and remained stiff and immobile during the exchange that was over as quickly as it'd begun. And then murmured something about luck before turning to leave as she pushed open the door. She had no idea what to think... and she felt utterly and completely helpless. What could she do, after all? She was only one woman. Sure she was moderately skilled with a bow and arrow, but she wouldn't take down a renegade cult with that. She pushed the door closed behind her; her mind frantic with indecision. As if finally coming to her senses, her eyes widened and she tore open the door. She'd left Emilios out there. He would help her sisters!
She hurried out onto the portico and down the stairs; stopping short when she saw both brothers together. Her eyes widened and she stared at her lover and her fiance together before amending what she was going to say at a safer distance. She glanced at Emilios as she spoke; pleading in her eyes before looking to his brother; speaking the words she needed to say to Emilios, instead to him before they left. "...Please...be safe, My Love.. Come back to me. ....And if you can, find my sisters...My father.... keep them safe as well..."
It wasn't the time to let her go.
Achilleas panic in finding out her sisters hadn't returned made her heart sink in her stomach. Her eyes widened as she hung on his every word. And what words they were. He explained how The Creed had returned; that they'd burned the arena her sisters had been in; and her father.
And then he'd let her go.
She stumbled back a step; her hand on her stomach as her face paled. Her family was there! Achilleas turned back to her after pushing his hand through his hair; his story unfinished. The king.. the heir.. both dead. And now Lord Stephanos.. was king? And Pia! Oh, she'd been so annoyed with her this morning. She'd wished she had a clue as to how much heartache Theo was going through right now and then this had happened. She would never forgive herself if something happened to Pia. Because despite their squabbles and her irritations, she was her sister!
Theo needed to sit down. She moved slowly towards the house and sank down on a bench as Achilleas continued his tale. She should have gone. She should have been there with Lenie and Pia.. Maybe it could have been her instead. She would have been glad of it. ....Except... She glanced back at the stables, but Emilios was nowhere in sight. Achilleas voice was like background noise to her own thoughts. The chaos outside the walls; she could hear it mounting; cries of anguish and terror echoing up through the hills. What was happening out there?? Oh, why had they left Serene? They'd be safe there, instead of here in the city.
Theo flinched as his hand reached out to her; caught off-guard. He pulled away, seeing the blood on his own hands; something she hadn't noticed. He instructed her to go inside; to lock the doors and windows and Theo stood numbly as he escorted her up the stairs and inside; the shock setting in.
Stopping her at the door, his hand found her elbow and she looked up at him absently. Before she had a chance to do or say anything, he leaned down and brushed a kiss against her lips. She sucked in a breath and remained stiff and immobile during the exchange that was over as quickly as it'd begun. And then murmured something about luck before turning to leave as she pushed open the door. She had no idea what to think... and she felt utterly and completely helpless. What could she do, after all? She was only one woman. Sure she was moderately skilled with a bow and arrow, but she wouldn't take down a renegade cult with that. She pushed the door closed behind her; her mind frantic with indecision. As if finally coming to her senses, her eyes widened and she tore open the door. She'd left Emilios out there. He would help her sisters!
She hurried out onto the portico and down the stairs; stopping short when she saw both brothers together. Her eyes widened and she stared at her lover and her fiance together before amending what she was going to say at a safer distance. She glanced at Emilios as she spoke; pleading in her eyes before looking to his brother; speaking the words she needed to say to Emilios, instead to him before they left. "...Please...be safe, My Love.. Come back to me. ....And if you can, find my sisters...My father.... keep them safe as well..."
Achilleas, hearing approaching footsteps drew his borrowed sword with a nearly silent hiss as the sharpened steel slid free of its sheath. So he greeted his brother with live steel in his hand, a grim look on his face, though it morphed to relief once he recognized Emilios.
“And I you, Emilios.” He exclaimed, sheathing his weapon again, then returned his brother’s greeting, Gripping Emilios’ opposing shoulder with his hand, giving a light squeeze. “I’d been at the race, just behind Stephanos if you can believe that when, as you said, all Hades broke loose.” He let out a shaky breath and told Emilios what he had not told Theo. “One of the Creed bastards htook the Lady Olympia hostage and tried to make us run her and her captor down by standing in the middle of the track. “It was the will of the Gods that neither she or Stephanos were killed.”
When Emilios asked what he needed from him, Achilleas looked his brother in the eye, blue eyes meeting blue, “There is something you can do for me….” He began, but was interrupted by the sound of Theo’s light footsteps coming closer. He turned to face her, the stern look on his face softening when she called him her love pleaded with him to stay safe, return to her and if he could, find her missing father and sisters.
Turning back to his brother, Achilleas, his heart in his own eyes finished asking his brother for the favor he needed of the younger man, “Watch over Theo for me brother. Defend the house so that when I return with her family we have a safe haven to fall back to?” He gripped Emilios’ forearm, waiting for his brother’s response, then moved to where Theodora stood, took her face between his hands, his touch gentle, and kissed her again, lingering just a bit, though not forcefully since she had not participated in the last kiss he’d given her, though he attributed it to maidenly inexperience rather than distaste because he was not his younger brother.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
Achilleas, hearing approaching footsteps drew his borrowed sword with a nearly silent hiss as the sharpened steel slid free of its sheath. So he greeted his brother with live steel in his hand, a grim look on his face, though it morphed to relief once he recognized Emilios.
“And I you, Emilios.” He exclaimed, sheathing his weapon again, then returned his brother’s greeting, Gripping Emilios’ opposing shoulder with his hand, giving a light squeeze. “I’d been at the race, just behind Stephanos if you can believe that when, as you said, all Hades broke loose.” He let out a shaky breath and told Emilios what he had not told Theo. “One of the Creed bastards htook the Lady Olympia hostage and tried to make us run her and her captor down by standing in the middle of the track. “It was the will of the Gods that neither she or Stephanos were killed.”
When Emilios asked what he needed from him, Achilleas looked his brother in the eye, blue eyes meeting blue, “There is something you can do for me….” He began, but was interrupted by the sound of Theo’s light footsteps coming closer. He turned to face her, the stern look on his face softening when she called him her love pleaded with him to stay safe, return to her and if he could, find her missing father and sisters.
Turning back to his brother, Achilleas, his heart in his own eyes finished asking his brother for the favor he needed of the younger man, “Watch over Theo for me brother. Defend the house so that when I return with her family we have a safe haven to fall back to?” He gripped Emilios’ forearm, waiting for his brother’s response, then moved to where Theodora stood, took her face between his hands, his touch gentle, and kissed her again, lingering just a bit, though not forcefully since she had not participated in the last kiss he’d given her, though he attributed it to maidenly inexperience rather than distaste because he was not his younger brother.
Achilleas, hearing approaching footsteps drew his borrowed sword with a nearly silent hiss as the sharpened steel slid free of its sheath. So he greeted his brother with live steel in his hand, a grim look on his face, though it morphed to relief once he recognized Emilios.
“And I you, Emilios.” He exclaimed, sheathing his weapon again, then returned his brother’s greeting, Gripping Emilios’ opposing shoulder with his hand, giving a light squeeze. “I’d been at the race, just behind Stephanos if you can believe that when, as you said, all Hades broke loose.” He let out a shaky breath and told Emilios what he had not told Theo. “One of the Creed bastards htook the Lady Olympia hostage and tried to make us run her and her captor down by standing in the middle of the track. “It was the will of the Gods that neither she or Stephanos were killed.”
When Emilios asked what he needed from him, Achilleas looked his brother in the eye, blue eyes meeting blue, “There is something you can do for me….” He began, but was interrupted by the sound of Theo’s light footsteps coming closer. He turned to face her, the stern look on his face softening when she called him her love pleaded with him to stay safe, return to her and if he could, find her missing father and sisters.
Turning back to his brother, Achilleas, his heart in his own eyes finished asking his brother for the favor he needed of the younger man, “Watch over Theo for me brother. Defend the house so that when I return with her family we have a safe haven to fall back to?” He gripped Emilios’ forearm, waiting for his brother’s response, then moved to where Theodora stood, took her face between his hands, his touch gentle, and kissed her again, lingering just a bit, though not forcefully since she had not participated in the last kiss he’d given her, though he attributed it to maidenly inexperience rather than distaste because he was not his younger brother.
He was not surprised by the sudden appearance of a sword. From the way he made it sound, he would have pulled a weapon as well. Emilios tried to make light of the situation, for the moment. "You, behind our cousin? Had the arena not been turned into a pyre, I'm sure that wouldn't have been for long." It was obvious that his smile was for show because he was better at hiding his stress than he'd ever let on. He listened carefully, his face losing any jovial mask it had on prior. Why Olympia? What had he missed?
He was angry all at once.
"Bastards." He spit on the ground, cursing them for their actions. Why had they missed this coming? Were they so blind to it? He hoped that his brother wanted him to come with. As angry as he was, it would be nice to bleed some bastards for what they had done. And then, he asked him to stay, to protect Theo. He forced his face to seem indifferent. "Of course brother." His voice felt thick as he nodded along with his words.
He turned his back to her, refusing to watch as her brother made his goodbyes to his fiance. Bile rose in his throat, and yet, he had to remain indifferent. To Achilleas, it would just appear that he was giving them privacy. His eyes closed, ears refusing to hear the sweet words that they would share. Those were words HE wanted to say, those were feelings he wished to share.
Bitterness quickly filled him.
Feeling his brother move past him, his eyes met Achilleas. "Gods speed brother. Give them hell." The anger in his eyes was easily attributed to the death of his uncle and not from his jealousy of the marriage.
His jealousy for once again securing the spoils. Spoils that should have been his.
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He was not surprised by the sudden appearance of a sword. From the way he made it sound, he would have pulled a weapon as well. Emilios tried to make light of the situation, for the moment. "You, behind our cousin? Had the arena not been turned into a pyre, I'm sure that wouldn't have been for long." It was obvious that his smile was for show because he was better at hiding his stress than he'd ever let on. He listened carefully, his face losing any jovial mask it had on prior. Why Olympia? What had he missed?
He was angry all at once.
"Bastards." He spit on the ground, cursing them for their actions. Why had they missed this coming? Were they so blind to it? He hoped that his brother wanted him to come with. As angry as he was, it would be nice to bleed some bastards for what they had done. And then, he asked him to stay, to protect Theo. He forced his face to seem indifferent. "Of course brother." His voice felt thick as he nodded along with his words.
He turned his back to her, refusing to watch as her brother made his goodbyes to his fiance. Bile rose in his throat, and yet, he had to remain indifferent. To Achilleas, it would just appear that he was giving them privacy. His eyes closed, ears refusing to hear the sweet words that they would share. Those were words HE wanted to say, those were feelings he wished to share.
Bitterness quickly filled him.
Feeling his brother move past him, his eyes met Achilleas. "Gods speed brother. Give them hell." The anger in his eyes was easily attributed to the death of his uncle and not from his jealousy of the marriage.
His jealousy for once again securing the spoils. Spoils that should have been his.
He was not surprised by the sudden appearance of a sword. From the way he made it sound, he would have pulled a weapon as well. Emilios tried to make light of the situation, for the moment. "You, behind our cousin? Had the arena not been turned into a pyre, I'm sure that wouldn't have been for long." It was obvious that his smile was for show because he was better at hiding his stress than he'd ever let on. He listened carefully, his face losing any jovial mask it had on prior. Why Olympia? What had he missed?
He was angry all at once.
"Bastards." He spit on the ground, cursing them for their actions. Why had they missed this coming? Were they so blind to it? He hoped that his brother wanted him to come with. As angry as he was, it would be nice to bleed some bastards for what they had done. And then, he asked him to stay, to protect Theo. He forced his face to seem indifferent. "Of course brother." His voice felt thick as he nodded along with his words.
He turned his back to her, refusing to watch as her brother made his goodbyes to his fiance. Bile rose in his throat, and yet, he had to remain indifferent. To Achilleas, it would just appear that he was giving them privacy. His eyes closed, ears refusing to hear the sweet words that they would share. Those were words HE wanted to say, those were feelings he wished to share.
Bitterness quickly filled him.
Feeling his brother move past him, his eyes met Achilleas. "Gods speed brother. Give them hell." The anger in his eyes was easily attributed to the death of his uncle and not from his jealousy of the marriage.
His jealousy for once again securing the spoils. Spoils that should have been his.
Well, that backfired spectacularly.
Theo knew Emilios. She knew he'd want to be in the thick of things; on some high wall lighting arrows and taking out men with precision shots. The thought of him leaving without her saying goodbye...without her wishing him well was the only thing that drove her back out of the house. That and the plea to find her family. She felt helpless. War didn't come to Taengea, Taengea went to the war. And now it was in their backyard. There was no way to speak to Emilios without Achilleas hearing her. So with a few hastily thought out words and a bid for safety, Achilleas secured his brother's promise to stay and care for her.
She stared at Emilios; dark eyes wide in surprise as he agreed to his brother's request; willing him to know that the words she said were meant for him. But he turned his back to her as Achilleas stepped past him. Distractedly, she looked back at Achilleas as he stepped to her with soft determination. She stumbled back a step as his hands found her face; taking hold of her so his mouth could slant over hers again; more familiar this time. She closed her eyes; her heart breaking for Emilios who stood only a few feet away; willing herself to stay still. It wasn't that his kiss was unpleasant. His lips were full and soft; far different than the kiss he'd given her when they were children. He smelled like smoke and leather and his fingers were rough on her smooth skin with the grit of the arena and of bloodshed. No..he lingered this time; long enough to feel the kiss. Every nerve and fiber in her screamed for him to stop. To leave and forget all about the engagement. But she knew that wasn't possible.
She gave a soft hiccupping sound as he pulled away; stepping back again to distance herself from him. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed and before he could say more that Emilios did not need to be privy to, she spoke. "Stay safe, My Lord..." She waited until he moved past Emilios and back out of the gate; not daring to say anything with the possibility of him still being so close. The sooner they were able to end this arrangement, the better. She wasn't sure how much more her soul could take of the display that'd just happened. She wanted nothing more than to gather Emilios in her arms and kiss him until he was assured there was no one else for her.
Finally, she turned on her heel and went back to the house; calling to Emilios as she went in a stern voice that willed him not to argue. She waited at the door until he entered and then closed it behind her; pulling down a large wooden bar to barricade them in. From there, she led him through the inner courtyard and stopped to speak to her mother; letting her know that Emilios was there at the behest of his brother. She guided him up the stairs and into her bedroom where she dropped down onto her hands and knees to the bed. Searching beneath it, pulling out her quiver of practice arrows and the bow he'd gifted her several months ago. She stood and, hesitantly, she handed them to him. She found her own bow that she'd had before and led him through to Selene's room which had a balcony that faced the front of the house. "I wish I could light them afire...but they'll have to do.." She sat down and leaned back against the wall of the house. From here she was able to see through the concrete columns of the decorative rails of the house, but they weren't altogether noticeable from the street. They had two guards at the front gate and a house full of servants, as well as her mother. She'd be damned if she sat in a room jumping at every noise outside. If someone was coming for them, she'd be the first to see it.
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This post was created by our staff team.
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Theo knew Emilios. She knew he'd want to be in the thick of things; on some high wall lighting arrows and taking out men with precision shots. The thought of him leaving without her saying goodbye...without her wishing him well was the only thing that drove her back out of the house. That and the plea to find her family. She felt helpless. War didn't come to Taengea, Taengea went to the war. And now it was in their backyard. There was no way to speak to Emilios without Achilleas hearing her. So with a few hastily thought out words and a bid for safety, Achilleas secured his brother's promise to stay and care for her.
She stared at Emilios; dark eyes wide in surprise as he agreed to his brother's request; willing him to know that the words she said were meant for him. But he turned his back to her as Achilleas stepped past him. Distractedly, she looked back at Achilleas as he stepped to her with soft determination. She stumbled back a step as his hands found her face; taking hold of her so his mouth could slant over hers again; more familiar this time. She closed her eyes; her heart breaking for Emilios who stood only a few feet away; willing herself to stay still. It wasn't that his kiss was unpleasant. His lips were full and soft; far different than the kiss he'd given her when they were children. He smelled like smoke and leather and his fingers were rough on her smooth skin with the grit of the arena and of bloodshed. No..he lingered this time; long enough to feel the kiss. Every nerve and fiber in her screamed for him to stop. To leave and forget all about the engagement. But she knew that wasn't possible.
She gave a soft hiccupping sound as he pulled away; stepping back again to distance herself from him. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed and before he could say more that Emilios did not need to be privy to, she spoke. "Stay safe, My Lord..." She waited until he moved past Emilios and back out of the gate; not daring to say anything with the possibility of him still being so close. The sooner they were able to end this arrangement, the better. She wasn't sure how much more her soul could take of the display that'd just happened. She wanted nothing more than to gather Emilios in her arms and kiss him until he was assured there was no one else for her.
Finally, she turned on her heel and went back to the house; calling to Emilios as she went in a stern voice that willed him not to argue. She waited at the door until he entered and then closed it behind her; pulling down a large wooden bar to barricade them in. From there, she led him through the inner courtyard and stopped to speak to her mother; letting her know that Emilios was there at the behest of his brother. She guided him up the stairs and into her bedroom where she dropped down onto her hands and knees to the bed. Searching beneath it, pulling out her quiver of practice arrows and the bow he'd gifted her several months ago. She stood and, hesitantly, she handed them to him. She found her own bow that she'd had before and led him through to Selene's room which had a balcony that faced the front of the house. "I wish I could light them afire...but they'll have to do.." She sat down and leaned back against the wall of the house. From here she was able to see through the concrete columns of the decorative rails of the house, but they weren't altogether noticeable from the street. They had two guards at the front gate and a house full of servants, as well as her mother. She'd be damned if she sat in a room jumping at every noise outside. If someone was coming for them, she'd be the first to see it.
Well, that backfired spectacularly.
Theo knew Emilios. She knew he'd want to be in the thick of things; on some high wall lighting arrows and taking out men with precision shots. The thought of him leaving without her saying goodbye...without her wishing him well was the only thing that drove her back out of the house. That and the plea to find her family. She felt helpless. War didn't come to Taengea, Taengea went to the war. And now it was in their backyard. There was no way to speak to Emilios without Achilleas hearing her. So with a few hastily thought out words and a bid for safety, Achilleas secured his brother's promise to stay and care for her.
She stared at Emilios; dark eyes wide in surprise as he agreed to his brother's request; willing him to know that the words she said were meant for him. But he turned his back to her as Achilleas stepped past him. Distractedly, she looked back at Achilleas as he stepped to her with soft determination. She stumbled back a step as his hands found her face; taking hold of her so his mouth could slant over hers again; more familiar this time. She closed her eyes; her heart breaking for Emilios who stood only a few feet away; willing herself to stay still. It wasn't that his kiss was unpleasant. His lips were full and soft; far different than the kiss he'd given her when they were children. He smelled like smoke and leather and his fingers were rough on her smooth skin with the grit of the arena and of bloodshed. No..he lingered this time; long enough to feel the kiss. Every nerve and fiber in her screamed for him to stop. To leave and forget all about the engagement. But she knew that wasn't possible.
She gave a soft hiccupping sound as he pulled away; stepping back again to distance herself from him. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed and before he could say more that Emilios did not need to be privy to, she spoke. "Stay safe, My Lord..." She waited until he moved past Emilios and back out of the gate; not daring to say anything with the possibility of him still being so close. The sooner they were able to end this arrangement, the better. She wasn't sure how much more her soul could take of the display that'd just happened. She wanted nothing more than to gather Emilios in her arms and kiss him until he was assured there was no one else for her.
Finally, she turned on her heel and went back to the house; calling to Emilios as she went in a stern voice that willed him not to argue. She waited at the door until he entered and then closed it behind her; pulling down a large wooden bar to barricade them in. From there, she led him through the inner courtyard and stopped to speak to her mother; letting her know that Emilios was there at the behest of his brother. She guided him up the stairs and into her bedroom where she dropped down onto her hands and knees to the bed. Searching beneath it, pulling out her quiver of practice arrows and the bow he'd gifted her several months ago. She stood and, hesitantly, she handed them to him. She found her own bow that she'd had before and led him through to Selene's room which had a balcony that faced the front of the house. "I wish I could light them afire...but they'll have to do.." She sat down and leaned back against the wall of the house. From here she was able to see through the concrete columns of the decorative rails of the house, but they weren't altogether noticeable from the street. They had two guards at the front gate and a house full of servants, as well as her mother. She'd be damned if she sat in a room jumping at every noise outside. If someone was coming for them, she'd be the first to see it.
He had hoped that his brother would ask him to come with him. That would have helped his mind, to put distance between himself and Theo.
To hurt others in the way his heart was hurting seemed like a decent way to deal with his emotions. But instead, he was stuck in the same house as her. Protecting his brother's fiance. Emilios would do it, but only because his brother had asked.
Certainly not because he couldn't live with himself if anything happened to her.
He didn't argue like he wanted to. Perhaps he was too defeated to do so. Instead, he watched his brother leave, trying to erase the vague image of their shared kiss. Trying to forget the sex they'd just finished. Trying to forget that it was his seed that was running down her leg. He wanted to feel bold about it and wanted to rub it in his brother's face. But he couldn't. Not now. Instead, he silently followed her up to her room, a place they'd been alone in several times.
Emilios took her bow, even though it was a bit short of him, it would still do. As they walked into Selene's room, he wanted to say something. Anything. But he'd felt like everything there was to say had already been said. He wasn't sure his heart was ready for a conversation now. What he needed were distance and distraction. And instead, he was stuck with a quiver right next to her.
Blast.
He took the far window, for space and for its view. A better shot than she was when it came to distance, Emilios would do far better. And he could trust her to pick off the ones closer. There was much thinking that needed to happen because not long ago, he thought that a wedding would be in his future. And it now it wasn't going to be his own. He was mad about it. She was mad about it. But there was not much they could do about it, at least not without care and consideration. "Have you ever killed someone before?" He asked her pointedly, fairly sure he knew the answer. The normal warmth that existed between the two was gone, the wall growing larger between them.
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Check out their information page here.
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He had hoped that his brother would ask him to come with him. That would have helped his mind, to put distance between himself and Theo.
To hurt others in the way his heart was hurting seemed like a decent way to deal with his emotions. But instead, he was stuck in the same house as her. Protecting his brother's fiance. Emilios would do it, but only because his brother had asked.
Certainly not because he couldn't live with himself if anything happened to her.
He didn't argue like he wanted to. Perhaps he was too defeated to do so. Instead, he watched his brother leave, trying to erase the vague image of their shared kiss. Trying to forget the sex they'd just finished. Trying to forget that it was his seed that was running down her leg. He wanted to feel bold about it and wanted to rub it in his brother's face. But he couldn't. Not now. Instead, he silently followed her up to her room, a place they'd been alone in several times.
Emilios took her bow, even though it was a bit short of him, it would still do. As they walked into Selene's room, he wanted to say something. Anything. But he'd felt like everything there was to say had already been said. He wasn't sure his heart was ready for a conversation now. What he needed were distance and distraction. And instead, he was stuck with a quiver right next to her.
Blast.
He took the far window, for space and for its view. A better shot than she was when it came to distance, Emilios would do far better. And he could trust her to pick off the ones closer. There was much thinking that needed to happen because not long ago, he thought that a wedding would be in his future. And it now it wasn't going to be his own. He was mad about it. She was mad about it. But there was not much they could do about it, at least not without care and consideration. "Have you ever killed someone before?" He asked her pointedly, fairly sure he knew the answer. The normal warmth that existed between the two was gone, the wall growing larger between them.
He had hoped that his brother would ask him to come with him. That would have helped his mind, to put distance between himself and Theo.
To hurt others in the way his heart was hurting seemed like a decent way to deal with his emotions. But instead, he was stuck in the same house as her. Protecting his brother's fiance. Emilios would do it, but only because his brother had asked.
Certainly not because he couldn't live with himself if anything happened to her.
He didn't argue like he wanted to. Perhaps he was too defeated to do so. Instead, he watched his brother leave, trying to erase the vague image of their shared kiss. Trying to forget the sex they'd just finished. Trying to forget that it was his seed that was running down her leg. He wanted to feel bold about it and wanted to rub it in his brother's face. But he couldn't. Not now. Instead, he silently followed her up to her room, a place they'd been alone in several times.
Emilios took her bow, even though it was a bit short of him, it would still do. As they walked into Selene's room, he wanted to say something. Anything. But he'd felt like everything there was to say had already been said. He wasn't sure his heart was ready for a conversation now. What he needed were distance and distraction. And instead, he was stuck with a quiver right next to her.
Blast.
He took the far window, for space and for its view. A better shot than she was when it came to distance, Emilios would do far better. And he could trust her to pick off the ones closer. There was much thinking that needed to happen because not long ago, he thought that a wedding would be in his future. And it now it wasn't going to be his own. He was mad about it. She was mad about it. But there was not much they could do about it, at least not without care and consideration. "Have you ever killed someone before?" He asked her pointedly, fairly sure he knew the answer. The normal warmth that existed between the two was gone, the wall growing larger between them.
The tension between them was thick; there as so much between them left unsaid, even though they'd come to some sort of resolution before Achilleas had arrived. But his presence only seemed to drive a wedge more forcefully between her and Emilios. She'd wanted to push Achilleas away when he'd kiss her; ached to do so as he had no right to her..... but he did. He was her fiance. And that was the problem.
Without argument, Emilios followed her and then set up watch a few feet by her side. She was happy he was here, but it was for selfish reasons. While her family was gone; unknown to her, he was here. She knew where he was and that he was ok. If that was selfish, she would gladly claim the label for now. She couldn't tolerate worrying about him too atop everything.
When he asked her if she'd ever killed anyone she turned to look at him as if he were out of his mind. Of course, she hadn't killed anyone...where would she have ever had such an opportunity or would it have been warranted for her to do so? She'd lived a rather sheltered life as a Leventi. It wasn't a secret. She was prized for her beauty and, in her case, her sharp wit. Not her ease with a Bow; really only he was privy to that.
With the matter settled and silence lapping over them again, they listened instead to the cries of the people in the lower sections of the city. She could only imagine what The Creed was doing; the glow of flames lit the night sky and the smoke from burning homes was thick. She tried not to show her fear, but this had been the closest to outright terrified she'd ever been. She'd never had to witness war or death. Athenia had been at peace within the city for longer than she'd been alive. But she was the strong one. She held everyone up and so she resolved herself not to be afraid. Even as her fingers trembled on the arrow making it hard to latch correctly. After a moment her shaky voice broke the silence. "Stephanos is king..." Of all the people she'd thought to take the throne, Stephanos was one of the last she considered. Content in the title of "spare", he'd been far less militant than Zacharias. He was known at court to enjoy the eccentricities in life and took to drinking and women quite easily.
Now he was their leader.
She looked over at him. "Were you close to your Uncle? ...To Zacharias?" She needed to hear him talk; to get her mind off of the screams and the blaze below them. Of the anticipation that they were coming for them. And so she fought to mend the rift that was slowly growing between them with the addition of his brother. A brother she'd long known had held an odd place in Emilios's heart. While Emilios revered and looked up to him, he was also jealous of his success and how easily everything seemed to come to him. Theo understood to an extent...Selene had always had praise lavished upon her. Save she didn't resent her sister the way Emilios could resent his brother at times. Probably because for Theo, she'd never lost anything due to her birthright as Emilios had in being second born. "....Is this what it's like? When you go to war... is this what it's like...?" She couldn't imagine living in such heightened anxiety; waiting for the battle..waiting for the enemy to come. The anticipation was worse than the actual battle itself.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
The tension between them was thick; there as so much between them left unsaid, even though they'd come to some sort of resolution before Achilleas had arrived. But his presence only seemed to drive a wedge more forcefully between her and Emilios. She'd wanted to push Achilleas away when he'd kiss her; ached to do so as he had no right to her..... but he did. He was her fiance. And that was the problem.
Without argument, Emilios followed her and then set up watch a few feet by her side. She was happy he was here, but it was for selfish reasons. While her family was gone; unknown to her, he was here. She knew where he was and that he was ok. If that was selfish, she would gladly claim the label for now. She couldn't tolerate worrying about him too atop everything.
When he asked her if she'd ever killed anyone she turned to look at him as if he were out of his mind. Of course, she hadn't killed anyone...where would she have ever had such an opportunity or would it have been warranted for her to do so? She'd lived a rather sheltered life as a Leventi. It wasn't a secret. She was prized for her beauty and, in her case, her sharp wit. Not her ease with a Bow; really only he was privy to that.
With the matter settled and silence lapping over them again, they listened instead to the cries of the people in the lower sections of the city. She could only imagine what The Creed was doing; the glow of flames lit the night sky and the smoke from burning homes was thick. She tried not to show her fear, but this had been the closest to outright terrified she'd ever been. She'd never had to witness war or death. Athenia had been at peace within the city for longer than she'd been alive. But she was the strong one. She held everyone up and so she resolved herself not to be afraid. Even as her fingers trembled on the arrow making it hard to latch correctly. After a moment her shaky voice broke the silence. "Stephanos is king..." Of all the people she'd thought to take the throne, Stephanos was one of the last she considered. Content in the title of "spare", he'd been far less militant than Zacharias. He was known at court to enjoy the eccentricities in life and took to drinking and women quite easily.
Now he was their leader.
She looked over at him. "Were you close to your Uncle? ...To Zacharias?" She needed to hear him talk; to get her mind off of the screams and the blaze below them. Of the anticipation that they were coming for them. And so she fought to mend the rift that was slowly growing between them with the addition of his brother. A brother she'd long known had held an odd place in Emilios's heart. While Emilios revered and looked up to him, he was also jealous of his success and how easily everything seemed to come to him. Theo understood to an extent...Selene had always had praise lavished upon her. Save she didn't resent her sister the way Emilios could resent his brother at times. Probably because for Theo, she'd never lost anything due to her birthright as Emilios had in being second born. "....Is this what it's like? When you go to war... is this what it's like...?" She couldn't imagine living in such heightened anxiety; waiting for the battle..waiting for the enemy to come. The anticipation was worse than the actual battle itself.
The tension between them was thick; there as so much between them left unsaid, even though they'd come to some sort of resolution before Achilleas had arrived. But his presence only seemed to drive a wedge more forcefully between her and Emilios. She'd wanted to push Achilleas away when he'd kiss her; ached to do so as he had no right to her..... but he did. He was her fiance. And that was the problem.
Without argument, Emilios followed her and then set up watch a few feet by her side. She was happy he was here, but it was for selfish reasons. While her family was gone; unknown to her, he was here. She knew where he was and that he was ok. If that was selfish, she would gladly claim the label for now. She couldn't tolerate worrying about him too atop everything.
When he asked her if she'd ever killed anyone she turned to look at him as if he were out of his mind. Of course, she hadn't killed anyone...where would she have ever had such an opportunity or would it have been warranted for her to do so? She'd lived a rather sheltered life as a Leventi. It wasn't a secret. She was prized for her beauty and, in her case, her sharp wit. Not her ease with a Bow; really only he was privy to that.
With the matter settled and silence lapping over them again, they listened instead to the cries of the people in the lower sections of the city. She could only imagine what The Creed was doing; the glow of flames lit the night sky and the smoke from burning homes was thick. She tried not to show her fear, but this had been the closest to outright terrified she'd ever been. She'd never had to witness war or death. Athenia had been at peace within the city for longer than she'd been alive. But she was the strong one. She held everyone up and so she resolved herself not to be afraid. Even as her fingers trembled on the arrow making it hard to latch correctly. After a moment her shaky voice broke the silence. "Stephanos is king..." Of all the people she'd thought to take the throne, Stephanos was one of the last she considered. Content in the title of "spare", he'd been far less militant than Zacharias. He was known at court to enjoy the eccentricities in life and took to drinking and women quite easily.
Now he was their leader.
She looked over at him. "Were you close to your Uncle? ...To Zacharias?" She needed to hear him talk; to get her mind off of the screams and the blaze below them. Of the anticipation that they were coming for them. And so she fought to mend the rift that was slowly growing between them with the addition of his brother. A brother she'd long known had held an odd place in Emilios's heart. While Emilios revered and looked up to him, he was also jealous of his success and how easily everything seemed to come to him. Theo understood to an extent...Selene had always had praise lavished upon her. Save she didn't resent her sister the way Emilios could resent his brother at times. Probably because for Theo, she'd never lost anything due to her birthright as Emilios had in being second born. "....Is this what it's like? When you go to war... is this what it's like...?" She couldn't imagine living in such heightened anxiety; waiting for the battle..waiting for the enemy to come. The anticipation was worse than the actual battle itself.
He did not want to talk about his uncle. Or about how close they were. Emilios certainly didn't want to think about how he would never be able to go to him for advice again. Or to sit in his study, building arrows while he talked military. He didn't want to think about how he would never hunt with him, or enjoy family meals together. And he was certainly glad he hadn't seen his head on a spike, because that would have made it all too real. The pain was fresh, but seeing him so violated would have made it worse.
He didn't even want to think of the missing cousin.
Emilios knew that his question was ignored simply because he knew the answer. She had never killed anyone before. Targets, animals-- those were not the same as putting an arrow into human flesh with the intention of ending a life. Could her soul handle the knowledge that she had killed someone? That they may have a family? Friends? He was certain that she would dwell on the hard truths that came with ending a life, no matter how vulgar the person was. The man made a note to take all the shots from her, not because he was determined to prove that he was better. But because he didn't want her to have to deal with the guilt of knowingly killing a man.
He may have hated her a bit in that moment, but that didn't mean he didn't want to protect her from the horrors of life.
"Yes, I was close to the king and my cousin. They were family. And now they are dead." He could feel the bitterness rising, competing with the jealousy from being the second best in this, once again. "And now, Stephanos is King." He didn't want to say anything else, for he might pour his heart out to her and urge her to leave with him. Being this close to her was not what he needed. But he had promised his brother he would protect her. So he notched an arrow into the bow, ready to shoot at the first sign of the Creed.
His eyes met hers, for the first time since being found by his brother. "It can be like this when you take a perch to kill from. Being on a horse, riding into battle is different. You don't have the luxury of thinking. You just ride into battle and hope you can be with those you love at the end of the day." He was talking in all seriousness now. "This kind of fighting is a lot of waiting. Wondering. And hoping they never show up." Quiet, in warfare, was a mixed blessing.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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He did not want to talk about his uncle. Or about how close they were. Emilios certainly didn't want to think about how he would never be able to go to him for advice again. Or to sit in his study, building arrows while he talked military. He didn't want to think about how he would never hunt with him, or enjoy family meals together. And he was certainly glad he hadn't seen his head on a spike, because that would have made it all too real. The pain was fresh, but seeing him so violated would have made it worse.
He didn't even want to think of the missing cousin.
Emilios knew that his question was ignored simply because he knew the answer. She had never killed anyone before. Targets, animals-- those were not the same as putting an arrow into human flesh with the intention of ending a life. Could her soul handle the knowledge that she had killed someone? That they may have a family? Friends? He was certain that she would dwell on the hard truths that came with ending a life, no matter how vulgar the person was. The man made a note to take all the shots from her, not because he was determined to prove that he was better. But because he didn't want her to have to deal with the guilt of knowingly killing a man.
He may have hated her a bit in that moment, but that didn't mean he didn't want to protect her from the horrors of life.
"Yes, I was close to the king and my cousin. They were family. And now they are dead." He could feel the bitterness rising, competing with the jealousy from being the second best in this, once again. "And now, Stephanos is King." He didn't want to say anything else, for he might pour his heart out to her and urge her to leave with him. Being this close to her was not what he needed. But he had promised his brother he would protect her. So he notched an arrow into the bow, ready to shoot at the first sign of the Creed.
His eyes met hers, for the first time since being found by his brother. "It can be like this when you take a perch to kill from. Being on a horse, riding into battle is different. You don't have the luxury of thinking. You just ride into battle and hope you can be with those you love at the end of the day." He was talking in all seriousness now. "This kind of fighting is a lot of waiting. Wondering. And hoping they never show up." Quiet, in warfare, was a mixed blessing.
He did not want to talk about his uncle. Or about how close they were. Emilios certainly didn't want to think about how he would never be able to go to him for advice again. Or to sit in his study, building arrows while he talked military. He didn't want to think about how he would never hunt with him, or enjoy family meals together. And he was certainly glad he hadn't seen his head on a spike, because that would have made it all too real. The pain was fresh, but seeing him so violated would have made it worse.
He didn't even want to think of the missing cousin.
Emilios knew that his question was ignored simply because he knew the answer. She had never killed anyone before. Targets, animals-- those were not the same as putting an arrow into human flesh with the intention of ending a life. Could her soul handle the knowledge that she had killed someone? That they may have a family? Friends? He was certain that she would dwell on the hard truths that came with ending a life, no matter how vulgar the person was. The man made a note to take all the shots from her, not because he was determined to prove that he was better. But because he didn't want her to have to deal with the guilt of knowingly killing a man.
He may have hated her a bit in that moment, but that didn't mean he didn't want to protect her from the horrors of life.
"Yes, I was close to the king and my cousin. They were family. And now they are dead." He could feel the bitterness rising, competing with the jealousy from being the second best in this, once again. "And now, Stephanos is King." He didn't want to say anything else, for he might pour his heart out to her and urge her to leave with him. Being this close to her was not what he needed. But he had promised his brother he would protect her. So he notched an arrow into the bow, ready to shoot at the first sign of the Creed.
His eyes met hers, for the first time since being found by his brother. "It can be like this when you take a perch to kill from. Being on a horse, riding into battle is different. You don't have the luxury of thinking. You just ride into battle and hope you can be with those you love at the end of the day." He was talking in all seriousness now. "This kind of fighting is a lot of waiting. Wondering. And hoping they never show up." Quiet, in warfare, was a mixed blessing.
It seemed like all they had was time to talk now. With Achilleas gone and the city burning beneath them, there was nothing else to do but wait. And talk. A new uncomfortable tension had fallen between them; something she'd never experienced with Emilios. Being with him had always been effortless. He made her feel lighter than she'd ever felt before and more adored while simultaneously keeping her on her toes. He was stubborn, but then again so was she. They could fight and laugh and love so easily that this friction between them was confusing; new ground she'd never covered with him and she didn't know how to approach him through it at a time she needed him the most.
She wanted to hear about his uncle. About his cousin. she wanted to hold him and let him feel his sorrow. To comfort him and be there for him. Before yesterday he would welcome the distraction. She could envision him making an ill-placed joke about how having his face pressed into her breasts somehow made all the pain go away and she wanted to smile...but that wasn't going to happen, was it?
she pulled at the quiver of her arrow absently; they were old; rather worn out. Meant for practicing, she wasn't sure they would fly as true as they should. She hoped for both of their sakes she was wrong. She'd never killed someone before. ...But if it was in protection of him? Of the people in her house? She would aim sure and true; emotions be damned. For Emilios she would face down a hoard of Drowned.
She stared at him as he stared at the road in front of the house; the set of his jaw and how hard it was. And she felt guilty. She had no reason to...nothing that had happened so far was her fault any more than it was his. Or Achilleas. What mattered going forward was how they handled it. They had to find a way to call off the engagement. ...But even if they did, would Emilios ever look at her the same again?
She closed her eyes and remembered how he stared at her this afternoon. The love and adoration; the excitement in the knowledge of their future. It was that vision of him that would make her fight for him. For them. However long it took and however hard it was, she was always his. And she would see him look at her that way again.
"I'm sorry... I can't imagine..." And she couldn't. What he had to be thinking right now. ...With his uncle and cousin gone and his fiance handed off to his brother? All within the same hour.
With his explanation of what it was like in war, she listened; hanging on every word. As a woman, you imagine what the men go through in battle. You imagine them charging the field in defense of king and country. You imagine them writing home in makeshift tents and marching for miles to meet their enemy in battle. ....You don't imagine this. You don't imagine waiting for the first arrow to fly or the enemy to come around the corner; not knowing when it will be.
When he finished his explanation, she stood. "Wait here..." She slipped back inside and disappeared for some time; having made it downstairs to find a decanter of wine and two glasses. If they were going to do this, she wasn't doing it sober. At least not completely so. She returned a few moments later and sat again; closer this time as she took the plug out of the skein and poured him a glass of wine, as well as herself. It would take a lot more than a glass or two to impair their judgment as their tolerance was so high. But it would be enough to ease the tightness in her shoulders and at the very least make it easier for her to shoot.
She considered toasting to his fallen family members... but it didn't seem the time. Instead, she just handed him a glass silently before lifting hers to her lips and draining half of it.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
It seemed like all they had was time to talk now. With Achilleas gone and the city burning beneath them, there was nothing else to do but wait. And talk. A new uncomfortable tension had fallen between them; something she'd never experienced with Emilios. Being with him had always been effortless. He made her feel lighter than she'd ever felt before and more adored while simultaneously keeping her on her toes. He was stubborn, but then again so was she. They could fight and laugh and love so easily that this friction between them was confusing; new ground she'd never covered with him and she didn't know how to approach him through it at a time she needed him the most.
She wanted to hear about his uncle. About his cousin. she wanted to hold him and let him feel his sorrow. To comfort him and be there for him. Before yesterday he would welcome the distraction. She could envision him making an ill-placed joke about how having his face pressed into her breasts somehow made all the pain go away and she wanted to smile...but that wasn't going to happen, was it?
she pulled at the quiver of her arrow absently; they were old; rather worn out. Meant for practicing, she wasn't sure they would fly as true as they should. She hoped for both of their sakes she was wrong. She'd never killed someone before. ...But if it was in protection of him? Of the people in her house? She would aim sure and true; emotions be damned. For Emilios she would face down a hoard of Drowned.
She stared at him as he stared at the road in front of the house; the set of his jaw and how hard it was. And she felt guilty. She had no reason to...nothing that had happened so far was her fault any more than it was his. Or Achilleas. What mattered going forward was how they handled it. They had to find a way to call off the engagement. ...But even if they did, would Emilios ever look at her the same again?
She closed her eyes and remembered how he stared at her this afternoon. The love and adoration; the excitement in the knowledge of their future. It was that vision of him that would make her fight for him. For them. However long it took and however hard it was, she was always his. And she would see him look at her that way again.
"I'm sorry... I can't imagine..." And she couldn't. What he had to be thinking right now. ...With his uncle and cousin gone and his fiance handed off to his brother? All within the same hour.
With his explanation of what it was like in war, she listened; hanging on every word. As a woman, you imagine what the men go through in battle. You imagine them charging the field in defense of king and country. You imagine them writing home in makeshift tents and marching for miles to meet their enemy in battle. ....You don't imagine this. You don't imagine waiting for the first arrow to fly or the enemy to come around the corner; not knowing when it will be.
When he finished his explanation, she stood. "Wait here..." She slipped back inside and disappeared for some time; having made it downstairs to find a decanter of wine and two glasses. If they were going to do this, she wasn't doing it sober. At least not completely so. She returned a few moments later and sat again; closer this time as she took the plug out of the skein and poured him a glass of wine, as well as herself. It would take a lot more than a glass or two to impair their judgment as their tolerance was so high. But it would be enough to ease the tightness in her shoulders and at the very least make it easier for her to shoot.
She considered toasting to his fallen family members... but it didn't seem the time. Instead, she just handed him a glass silently before lifting hers to her lips and draining half of it.
It seemed like all they had was time to talk now. With Achilleas gone and the city burning beneath them, there was nothing else to do but wait. And talk. A new uncomfortable tension had fallen between them; something she'd never experienced with Emilios. Being with him had always been effortless. He made her feel lighter than she'd ever felt before and more adored while simultaneously keeping her on her toes. He was stubborn, but then again so was she. They could fight and laugh and love so easily that this friction between them was confusing; new ground she'd never covered with him and she didn't know how to approach him through it at a time she needed him the most.
She wanted to hear about his uncle. About his cousin. she wanted to hold him and let him feel his sorrow. To comfort him and be there for him. Before yesterday he would welcome the distraction. She could envision him making an ill-placed joke about how having his face pressed into her breasts somehow made all the pain go away and she wanted to smile...but that wasn't going to happen, was it?
she pulled at the quiver of her arrow absently; they were old; rather worn out. Meant for practicing, she wasn't sure they would fly as true as they should. She hoped for both of their sakes she was wrong. She'd never killed someone before. ...But if it was in protection of him? Of the people in her house? She would aim sure and true; emotions be damned. For Emilios she would face down a hoard of Drowned.
She stared at him as he stared at the road in front of the house; the set of his jaw and how hard it was. And she felt guilty. She had no reason to...nothing that had happened so far was her fault any more than it was his. Or Achilleas. What mattered going forward was how they handled it. They had to find a way to call off the engagement. ...But even if they did, would Emilios ever look at her the same again?
She closed her eyes and remembered how he stared at her this afternoon. The love and adoration; the excitement in the knowledge of their future. It was that vision of him that would make her fight for him. For them. However long it took and however hard it was, she was always his. And she would see him look at her that way again.
"I'm sorry... I can't imagine..." And she couldn't. What he had to be thinking right now. ...With his uncle and cousin gone and his fiance handed off to his brother? All within the same hour.
With his explanation of what it was like in war, she listened; hanging on every word. As a woman, you imagine what the men go through in battle. You imagine them charging the field in defense of king and country. You imagine them writing home in makeshift tents and marching for miles to meet their enemy in battle. ....You don't imagine this. You don't imagine waiting for the first arrow to fly or the enemy to come around the corner; not knowing when it will be.
When he finished his explanation, she stood. "Wait here..." She slipped back inside and disappeared for some time; having made it downstairs to find a decanter of wine and two glasses. If they were going to do this, she wasn't doing it sober. At least not completely so. She returned a few moments later and sat again; closer this time as she took the plug out of the skein and poured him a glass of wine, as well as herself. It would take a lot more than a glass or two to impair their judgment as their tolerance was so high. But it would be enough to ease the tightness in her shoulders and at the very least make it easier for her to shoot.
She considered toasting to his fallen family members... but it didn't seem the time. Instead, she just handed him a glass silently before lifting hers to her lips and draining half of it.
Perhaps, in a few weeks, he would be able to talk fondly about the recently lost relatives. He would share stories of the happier times they had, celebrating festivals and hunting expeditions. But for now, he didn't want to remember them. He didn't want to accept the idea that their lives were so irreversibly changed. He didn't want to tell her about the way his uncle would set aside whatever he was doing to listen to his problems. Or the way that his cousin seemed to always be interested in pushing the two boys to be better. The ache in his chest just thinking about never seeing them again was as if he'd been stabbed.
Remembering that he wouldn't marry her was just as if he'd been injured again.
The last thing he wanted was to be close to her, even though her presence felt like a salve. Even though she was doing her best to distract him. With her family out in the madness, perhaps she was trying to distract herself, too. He softened a bit, "You shouldn't have to imagine it. The reason we fight is so that those we love can continue to embrace the carefree world we try to preserve for them. I would never want you to imagine what it was like to be in battle."
He watched her disappear, pulling the pouch of feathers from the pocket of his cloak. Looking around the room, he couldn't help but notice how obviously different the two sisters were. Selene room was full of brightness, from the gauzy curtains on the windows to the vases of flowers that covered dozens of surfaces in the room. While everything was obviously in place, it was still far more... obvious in her cares. Her harp was on display, set next to the vanity. And, he was fairly sure that the brush on the vanity belonged in the stables.
When Theo came back with wine, he laughed a bit. On the battlefield, it was always obvious to tell who had never been to battle before. They were always the one passing around the alcohol, trying to use wine as a way to better reinforce their courage. When she offered the glass, he took it but didn't drink it. "I wouldn't drink too much. You don't want to mess with your depth perception and aim." And in turn, he handed her the feathers. "Here, I thought you might like these." The fletching would make her old arrows new. "One last gift, I suppose."
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Perhaps, in a few weeks, he would be able to talk fondly about the recently lost relatives. He would share stories of the happier times they had, celebrating festivals and hunting expeditions. But for now, he didn't want to remember them. He didn't want to accept the idea that their lives were so irreversibly changed. He didn't want to tell her about the way his uncle would set aside whatever he was doing to listen to his problems. Or the way that his cousin seemed to always be interested in pushing the two boys to be better. The ache in his chest just thinking about never seeing them again was as if he'd been stabbed.
Remembering that he wouldn't marry her was just as if he'd been injured again.
The last thing he wanted was to be close to her, even though her presence felt like a salve. Even though she was doing her best to distract him. With her family out in the madness, perhaps she was trying to distract herself, too. He softened a bit, "You shouldn't have to imagine it. The reason we fight is so that those we love can continue to embrace the carefree world we try to preserve for them. I would never want you to imagine what it was like to be in battle."
He watched her disappear, pulling the pouch of feathers from the pocket of his cloak. Looking around the room, he couldn't help but notice how obviously different the two sisters were. Selene room was full of brightness, from the gauzy curtains on the windows to the vases of flowers that covered dozens of surfaces in the room. While everything was obviously in place, it was still far more... obvious in her cares. Her harp was on display, set next to the vanity. And, he was fairly sure that the brush on the vanity belonged in the stables.
When Theo came back with wine, he laughed a bit. On the battlefield, it was always obvious to tell who had never been to battle before. They were always the one passing around the alcohol, trying to use wine as a way to better reinforce their courage. When she offered the glass, he took it but didn't drink it. "I wouldn't drink too much. You don't want to mess with your depth perception and aim." And in turn, he handed her the feathers. "Here, I thought you might like these." The fletching would make her old arrows new. "One last gift, I suppose."
Perhaps, in a few weeks, he would be able to talk fondly about the recently lost relatives. He would share stories of the happier times they had, celebrating festivals and hunting expeditions. But for now, he didn't want to remember them. He didn't want to accept the idea that their lives were so irreversibly changed. He didn't want to tell her about the way his uncle would set aside whatever he was doing to listen to his problems. Or the way that his cousin seemed to always be interested in pushing the two boys to be better. The ache in his chest just thinking about never seeing them again was as if he'd been stabbed.
Remembering that he wouldn't marry her was just as if he'd been injured again.
The last thing he wanted was to be close to her, even though her presence felt like a salve. Even though she was doing her best to distract him. With her family out in the madness, perhaps she was trying to distract herself, too. He softened a bit, "You shouldn't have to imagine it. The reason we fight is so that those we love can continue to embrace the carefree world we try to preserve for them. I would never want you to imagine what it was like to be in battle."
He watched her disappear, pulling the pouch of feathers from the pocket of his cloak. Looking around the room, he couldn't help but notice how obviously different the two sisters were. Selene room was full of brightness, from the gauzy curtains on the windows to the vases of flowers that covered dozens of surfaces in the room. While everything was obviously in place, it was still far more... obvious in her cares. Her harp was on display, set next to the vanity. And, he was fairly sure that the brush on the vanity belonged in the stables.
When Theo came back with wine, he laughed a bit. On the battlefield, it was always obvious to tell who had never been to battle before. They were always the one passing around the alcohol, trying to use wine as a way to better reinforce their courage. When she offered the glass, he took it but didn't drink it. "I wouldn't drink too much. You don't want to mess with your depth perception and aim." And in turn, he handed her the feathers. "Here, I thought you might like these." The fletching would make her old arrows new. "One last gift, I suppose."
Theo's reply was meant in response to the fact that his Uncle and cousin had been murdered that day, and not for the time spent waiting in battle. But it was a difficult topic to broach and she struggled to say the words so they came out delayed. He chose to ignore them; replying instead to why he did it and she watched him silently. Every fiber of her yearned to reach out and touch him; to brush that careless lock of hair from his face and to tell him she loved him. She did, after all.. no misplaced marriage proposal would change that. She wanted to ignore everything that had happened yesterday and just rest in him. To be with him.. but now there was this barrier between them she couldn't get through.
So she went and got the wine.
Handing it off soon after, she found him chuckling at her. she adjusted on to her knees and lifted the glass to her lips; pausing for a moment. "What...?" Her eyes sparkled as he told her not to drink too much. She scoffed and bent back the glass; taking a long gulp. From the balcony they could hear any rider approach.. they could talk though...just in dulcet tones. "You're one to speak..." Her eyes sparkled and she stifled a smile herself. Had she drank too much it wouldn't have been the first time with him. There had been a few times where they'd imbibed so much alcohol they were both a blithering mess of laughter and desire. She enjoyed that about him...how carefree, spontaneous and crazy he could be. He challenged her and joked with her and gave her an outlet for her wit and sarcasm which he easily parried back.
Lowering the glass, she glanced down as his hand moved to her; holding out the new fletchings for her arrows. The humor in her eyes died and she took them silently from him as he gave that soft self-deprecating remark. She turned it in her hand before looking up at him. "Emilios... this isn't over. I will fight. For you." And she meant it too. The whole world was going up in flames right now. There was no way she couldn't convince her parents to change terms. To let her be with Emilios. Nothing mattered but him. Aside from her family being healthy and well, she didn't care about titles and alliances and barony lands. The Leventi's had bathed in luxury for as long as she could remember. But she'd never experienced this kind of all-consuming love she felt for Emilios. No amount of money could ever buy that. No alliance could create that kind of bond.
Her hands tightened around the feathers; gripping them to her lap as she looked down at his forlorn face. He wore the emotions she felt inside on his outside. And the one person who could make her feel better was lost to his own grief and bitterness. For a brief moment today when she'd first seen him..when he caught her in his arms and made love to her she'd forgotten about the engagement. She'd forgotten about Achilleas and of their families and she was just... with him. And it was amazing. She felt the clouds part and the sunlight radiated through like Apollo cutting across the sky. And then darkness descended and the rain fell. Now they were both drenched in misery. She needed him to provide her shelter from the storm and she wanted to provide safety as well. But right now, he was standing in the rain as it pummelled him.
"I Love y-" But her words died on her lips. Because the sound of feet slapping over stone roads a short distance away caught her attention. She glanced up through the banisters of the balcony and dropped back; taking up her bow and threading an arrow into it. Her heart skipped several beats and then began thudding hurriedly against her chest. From the darkness, a flame rent the air; sailing towards their neighbors home. Theo drew back her bow and watched; her eyes narrowed for any shift of movement in the night. What they'd anticipated coming was here and it was now time to turn skilled practice into deadly precision.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
Theo's reply was meant in response to the fact that his Uncle and cousin had been murdered that day, and not for the time spent waiting in battle. But it was a difficult topic to broach and she struggled to say the words so they came out delayed. He chose to ignore them; replying instead to why he did it and she watched him silently. Every fiber of her yearned to reach out and touch him; to brush that careless lock of hair from his face and to tell him she loved him. She did, after all.. no misplaced marriage proposal would change that. She wanted to ignore everything that had happened yesterday and just rest in him. To be with him.. but now there was this barrier between them she couldn't get through.
So she went and got the wine.
Handing it off soon after, she found him chuckling at her. she adjusted on to her knees and lifted the glass to her lips; pausing for a moment. "What...?" Her eyes sparkled as he told her not to drink too much. She scoffed and bent back the glass; taking a long gulp. From the balcony they could hear any rider approach.. they could talk though...just in dulcet tones. "You're one to speak..." Her eyes sparkled and she stifled a smile herself. Had she drank too much it wouldn't have been the first time with him. There had been a few times where they'd imbibed so much alcohol they were both a blithering mess of laughter and desire. She enjoyed that about him...how carefree, spontaneous and crazy he could be. He challenged her and joked with her and gave her an outlet for her wit and sarcasm which he easily parried back.
Lowering the glass, she glanced down as his hand moved to her; holding out the new fletchings for her arrows. The humor in her eyes died and she took them silently from him as he gave that soft self-deprecating remark. She turned it in her hand before looking up at him. "Emilios... this isn't over. I will fight. For you." And she meant it too. The whole world was going up in flames right now. There was no way she couldn't convince her parents to change terms. To let her be with Emilios. Nothing mattered but him. Aside from her family being healthy and well, she didn't care about titles and alliances and barony lands. The Leventi's had bathed in luxury for as long as she could remember. But she'd never experienced this kind of all-consuming love she felt for Emilios. No amount of money could ever buy that. No alliance could create that kind of bond.
Her hands tightened around the feathers; gripping them to her lap as she looked down at his forlorn face. He wore the emotions she felt inside on his outside. And the one person who could make her feel better was lost to his own grief and bitterness. For a brief moment today when she'd first seen him..when he caught her in his arms and made love to her she'd forgotten about the engagement. She'd forgotten about Achilleas and of their families and she was just... with him. And it was amazing. She felt the clouds part and the sunlight radiated through like Apollo cutting across the sky. And then darkness descended and the rain fell. Now they were both drenched in misery. She needed him to provide her shelter from the storm and she wanted to provide safety as well. But right now, he was standing in the rain as it pummelled him.
"I Love y-" But her words died on her lips. Because the sound of feet slapping over stone roads a short distance away caught her attention. She glanced up through the banisters of the balcony and dropped back; taking up her bow and threading an arrow into it. Her heart skipped several beats and then began thudding hurriedly against her chest. From the darkness, a flame rent the air; sailing towards their neighbors home. Theo drew back her bow and watched; her eyes narrowed for any shift of movement in the night. What they'd anticipated coming was here and it was now time to turn skilled practice into deadly precision.
Theo's reply was meant in response to the fact that his Uncle and cousin had been murdered that day, and not for the time spent waiting in battle. But it was a difficult topic to broach and she struggled to say the words so they came out delayed. He chose to ignore them; replying instead to why he did it and she watched him silently. Every fiber of her yearned to reach out and touch him; to brush that careless lock of hair from his face and to tell him she loved him. She did, after all.. no misplaced marriage proposal would change that. She wanted to ignore everything that had happened yesterday and just rest in him. To be with him.. but now there was this barrier between them she couldn't get through.
So she went and got the wine.
Handing it off soon after, she found him chuckling at her. she adjusted on to her knees and lifted the glass to her lips; pausing for a moment. "What...?" Her eyes sparkled as he told her not to drink too much. She scoffed and bent back the glass; taking a long gulp. From the balcony they could hear any rider approach.. they could talk though...just in dulcet tones. "You're one to speak..." Her eyes sparkled and she stifled a smile herself. Had she drank too much it wouldn't have been the first time with him. There had been a few times where they'd imbibed so much alcohol they were both a blithering mess of laughter and desire. She enjoyed that about him...how carefree, spontaneous and crazy he could be. He challenged her and joked with her and gave her an outlet for her wit and sarcasm which he easily parried back.
Lowering the glass, she glanced down as his hand moved to her; holding out the new fletchings for her arrows. The humor in her eyes died and she took them silently from him as he gave that soft self-deprecating remark. She turned it in her hand before looking up at him. "Emilios... this isn't over. I will fight. For you." And she meant it too. The whole world was going up in flames right now. There was no way she couldn't convince her parents to change terms. To let her be with Emilios. Nothing mattered but him. Aside from her family being healthy and well, she didn't care about titles and alliances and barony lands. The Leventi's had bathed in luxury for as long as she could remember. But she'd never experienced this kind of all-consuming love she felt for Emilios. No amount of money could ever buy that. No alliance could create that kind of bond.
Her hands tightened around the feathers; gripping them to her lap as she looked down at his forlorn face. He wore the emotions she felt inside on his outside. And the one person who could make her feel better was lost to his own grief and bitterness. For a brief moment today when she'd first seen him..when he caught her in his arms and made love to her she'd forgotten about the engagement. She'd forgotten about Achilleas and of their families and she was just... with him. And it was amazing. She felt the clouds part and the sunlight radiated through like Apollo cutting across the sky. And then darkness descended and the rain fell. Now they were both drenched in misery. She needed him to provide her shelter from the storm and she wanted to provide safety as well. But right now, he was standing in the rain as it pummelled him.
"I Love y-" But her words died on her lips. Because the sound of feet slapping over stone roads a short distance away caught her attention. She glanced up through the banisters of the balcony and dropped back; taking up her bow and threading an arrow into it. Her heart skipped several beats and then began thudding hurriedly against her chest. From the darkness, a flame rent the air; sailing towards their neighbors home. Theo drew back her bow and watched; her eyes narrowed for any shift of movement in the night. What they'd anticipated coming was here and it was now time to turn skilled practice into deadly precision.
The Creed had been running around the streets with deadly precision. They weren't a rabble of terrorists, anarchists with no motive. They were not unorganised or directionless. Instead, they made key decisions on where to attack, where to burn. They were organised like a military formation, setting most of the key buildings in Vasiliadon alight simultaneously. These were not all the men from the stadium, but different ones, determined to complete their own tasks outside of the circus.
And their own tasks included pinpointing the homes of the richest and most powerful in Taengea. Like the Leventi property.
The palace was in no way accessible - the guards had upped the protective triple fold since they had made their way inside and murdered the king earlier that morning. They had already, in their own way, proven that the palace was no challenge. The dikastirio and order house had been next, the Dimitrou and Condos manors far outside the city and of no real value and the Leventis were next on the list...
Their manor was just on the outside of the city, with the fields and fields extending out from the capital belonging to their leader. The owner of the manor itself; Fotios of Leventi.
A few members of the Creed ran down the streets on horseback, setting alight a nearby noble home, but with the intention of reaching the house of Leventi. They galloped down the cobbled streets a Taengean flag with the royal coat of arms blazed on its surface torn and drenched in the blood of its people. A smaller version of the crown prince's cloak as it had hung above the Taengean circus.
They rode silently - as they did with everything else - the members of the cult saying not a word from behind their masks. Their faces bandaged and mummified beyond recognition and every inch of their skin covered just the same. Like dark shadows they rode on black horses before stopping out front of the Leventi manor, looking out towards the balconies and windows.
There were three of them in total - not a lot to be feared - but then, they were only the front guard. And as they drew back their small and deadly throwing knives and let them loose upon the house, several breaking windows, they were intent on completing their task... for it was their job to create a diversion.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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The Creed had been running around the streets with deadly precision. They weren't a rabble of terrorists, anarchists with no motive. They were not unorganised or directionless. Instead, they made key decisions on where to attack, where to burn. They were organised like a military formation, setting most of the key buildings in Vasiliadon alight simultaneously. These were not all the men from the stadium, but different ones, determined to complete their own tasks outside of the circus.
And their own tasks included pinpointing the homes of the richest and most powerful in Taengea. Like the Leventi property.
The palace was in no way accessible - the guards had upped the protective triple fold since they had made their way inside and murdered the king earlier that morning. They had already, in their own way, proven that the palace was no challenge. The dikastirio and order house had been next, the Dimitrou and Condos manors far outside the city and of no real value and the Leventis were next on the list...
Their manor was just on the outside of the city, with the fields and fields extending out from the capital belonging to their leader. The owner of the manor itself; Fotios of Leventi.
A few members of the Creed ran down the streets on horseback, setting alight a nearby noble home, but with the intention of reaching the house of Leventi. They galloped down the cobbled streets a Taengean flag with the royal coat of arms blazed on its surface torn and drenched in the blood of its people. A smaller version of the crown prince's cloak as it had hung above the Taengean circus.
They rode silently - as they did with everything else - the members of the cult saying not a word from behind their masks. Their faces bandaged and mummified beyond recognition and every inch of their skin covered just the same. Like dark shadows they rode on black horses before stopping out front of the Leventi manor, looking out towards the balconies and windows.
There were three of them in total - not a lot to be feared - but then, they were only the front guard. And as they drew back their small and deadly throwing knives and let them loose upon the house, several breaking windows, they were intent on completing their task... for it was their job to create a diversion.
The Creed had been running around the streets with deadly precision. They weren't a rabble of terrorists, anarchists with no motive. They were not unorganised or directionless. Instead, they made key decisions on where to attack, where to burn. They were organised like a military formation, setting most of the key buildings in Vasiliadon alight simultaneously. These were not all the men from the stadium, but different ones, determined to complete their own tasks outside of the circus.
And their own tasks included pinpointing the homes of the richest and most powerful in Taengea. Like the Leventi property.
The palace was in no way accessible - the guards had upped the protective triple fold since they had made their way inside and murdered the king earlier that morning. They had already, in their own way, proven that the palace was no challenge. The dikastirio and order house had been next, the Dimitrou and Condos manors far outside the city and of no real value and the Leventis were next on the list...
Their manor was just on the outside of the city, with the fields and fields extending out from the capital belonging to their leader. The owner of the manor itself; Fotios of Leventi.
A few members of the Creed ran down the streets on horseback, setting alight a nearby noble home, but with the intention of reaching the house of Leventi. They galloped down the cobbled streets a Taengean flag with the royal coat of arms blazed on its surface torn and drenched in the blood of its people. A smaller version of the crown prince's cloak as it had hung above the Taengean circus.
They rode silently - as they did with everything else - the members of the cult saying not a word from behind their masks. Their faces bandaged and mummified beyond recognition and every inch of their skin covered just the same. Like dark shadows they rode on black horses before stopping out front of the Leventi manor, looking out towards the balconies and windows.
There were three of them in total - not a lot to be feared - but then, they were only the front guard. And as they drew back their small and deadly throwing knives and let them loose upon the house, several breaking windows, they were intent on completing their task... for it was their job to create a diversion.
The smile at covered his face was bittersweet in memory. He fondly remembered one time in particular where she had smuggled a few botas full of the finest Taengean wine out to the countryside. The pair passed them between each other, laughing and debating the finer points of politics. And, without much food to offset the alcohol, the pair was highly inebriated. They proceeded to try and hunt for their own meal, which could have easily turned deadly between the two. But luckily, they failed to kill anything. And in between it all, they had made love under the sweet autumn sun. Thinking about it now, he tried to remember that she was not his. That she would never be his. But, all he wanted to do was sweep her into his arms and remind her of that night.
It was hard to think of himself as that man, one who had been so quick to love and so easy to make laugh.
How quickly things had shifted between them.
Emilios wanted to believe her words, that it would be over. That she would fight for him, for them. But at this moment, he wasn't sure he had any fight in him except to exact revenge on those who had murdered his family. It may have been easy for her to focus on them because that was the greatest loss she was having to cope with. But for him, the crushing blow of learning that both uncle and cousin were dead was only making everything that much worse. He didn't want her promises, for the seemed weak in the overall scheme of things. He wanted to explode, to push his grief into his anger and let them blend into something he'd never be able to take back. How could he focus on them when there was anarchy pressing against their security? There was so much more to worry about, and a part of him wanted her to realize that.
He had to take a deep breath, to remind himself that he was not on the front lines with his men. No, he was sitting in the room of a Levenri, wishing that he had ridden off with Achilleas to leave Theo to be protected by the guards her father employed. It would have been easier for him, the smell of blood overtaking the smell of her skin. But he hadn't. He had done as his brother asked and stayed. And now, he justed wanted to tell her that she was being foolish. And selfish. And had no consideration for what he had just lost.
Noise outside paused any conversations, both the ones out loud and in his mind. Hand coming to his own mouth to signal silence, Emilios shifted his position, allowing him a better view of the enemy. Their pace was slow to the door, and he allowed them a moment or two of their destruction before he came out from behind the safety of the window's edge. Theo would have never seen this side of him, precise and deadly. He drew back his arrow, accounting for their mounted motion and the slight wind and let it fly. With deadly accuracy, it met its mark, the man in front finding his hand now attached to his face by means of an arrow. There was barely the space of a breath between that wound and the next, hitting the mark of the man's chest. And, for good measure, he let one more fly into his face. This one, it seemed, was a well-planned fatal blow to the head.
Men all died the same, it seemed. With their mouths open and their eyes vacant.
Emilios, as bitter and angry as he was at that moment, didn't want her to have to deal with the guilt that could come from ending a life. So he tried to take care of the others before she could fire off any death blows.
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The smile at covered his face was bittersweet in memory. He fondly remembered one time in particular where she had smuggled a few botas full of the finest Taengean wine out to the countryside. The pair passed them between each other, laughing and debating the finer points of politics. And, without much food to offset the alcohol, the pair was highly inebriated. They proceeded to try and hunt for their own meal, which could have easily turned deadly between the two. But luckily, they failed to kill anything. And in between it all, they had made love under the sweet autumn sun. Thinking about it now, he tried to remember that she was not his. That she would never be his. But, all he wanted to do was sweep her into his arms and remind her of that night.
It was hard to think of himself as that man, one who had been so quick to love and so easy to make laugh.
How quickly things had shifted between them.
Emilios wanted to believe her words, that it would be over. That she would fight for him, for them. But at this moment, he wasn't sure he had any fight in him except to exact revenge on those who had murdered his family. It may have been easy for her to focus on them because that was the greatest loss she was having to cope with. But for him, the crushing blow of learning that both uncle and cousin were dead was only making everything that much worse. He didn't want her promises, for the seemed weak in the overall scheme of things. He wanted to explode, to push his grief into his anger and let them blend into something he'd never be able to take back. How could he focus on them when there was anarchy pressing against their security? There was so much more to worry about, and a part of him wanted her to realize that.
He had to take a deep breath, to remind himself that he was not on the front lines with his men. No, he was sitting in the room of a Levenri, wishing that he had ridden off with Achilleas to leave Theo to be protected by the guards her father employed. It would have been easier for him, the smell of blood overtaking the smell of her skin. But he hadn't. He had done as his brother asked and stayed. And now, he justed wanted to tell her that she was being foolish. And selfish. And had no consideration for what he had just lost.
Noise outside paused any conversations, both the ones out loud and in his mind. Hand coming to his own mouth to signal silence, Emilios shifted his position, allowing him a better view of the enemy. Their pace was slow to the door, and he allowed them a moment or two of their destruction before he came out from behind the safety of the window's edge. Theo would have never seen this side of him, precise and deadly. He drew back his arrow, accounting for their mounted motion and the slight wind and let it fly. With deadly accuracy, it met its mark, the man in front finding his hand now attached to his face by means of an arrow. There was barely the space of a breath between that wound and the next, hitting the mark of the man's chest. And, for good measure, he let one more fly into his face. This one, it seemed, was a well-planned fatal blow to the head.
Men all died the same, it seemed. With their mouths open and their eyes vacant.
Emilios, as bitter and angry as he was at that moment, didn't want her to have to deal with the guilt that could come from ending a life. So he tried to take care of the others before she could fire off any death blows.
The smile at covered his face was bittersweet in memory. He fondly remembered one time in particular where she had smuggled a few botas full of the finest Taengean wine out to the countryside. The pair passed them between each other, laughing and debating the finer points of politics. And, without much food to offset the alcohol, the pair was highly inebriated. They proceeded to try and hunt for their own meal, which could have easily turned deadly between the two. But luckily, they failed to kill anything. And in between it all, they had made love under the sweet autumn sun. Thinking about it now, he tried to remember that she was not his. That she would never be his. But, all he wanted to do was sweep her into his arms and remind her of that night.
It was hard to think of himself as that man, one who had been so quick to love and so easy to make laugh.
How quickly things had shifted between them.
Emilios wanted to believe her words, that it would be over. That she would fight for him, for them. But at this moment, he wasn't sure he had any fight in him except to exact revenge on those who had murdered his family. It may have been easy for her to focus on them because that was the greatest loss she was having to cope with. But for him, the crushing blow of learning that both uncle and cousin were dead was only making everything that much worse. He didn't want her promises, for the seemed weak in the overall scheme of things. He wanted to explode, to push his grief into his anger and let them blend into something he'd never be able to take back. How could he focus on them when there was anarchy pressing against their security? There was so much more to worry about, and a part of him wanted her to realize that.
He had to take a deep breath, to remind himself that he was not on the front lines with his men. No, he was sitting in the room of a Levenri, wishing that he had ridden off with Achilleas to leave Theo to be protected by the guards her father employed. It would have been easier for him, the smell of blood overtaking the smell of her skin. But he hadn't. He had done as his brother asked and stayed. And now, he justed wanted to tell her that she was being foolish. And selfish. And had no consideration for what he had just lost.
Noise outside paused any conversations, both the ones out loud and in his mind. Hand coming to his own mouth to signal silence, Emilios shifted his position, allowing him a better view of the enemy. Their pace was slow to the door, and he allowed them a moment or two of their destruction before he came out from behind the safety of the window's edge. Theo would have never seen this side of him, precise and deadly. He drew back his arrow, accounting for their mounted motion and the slight wind and let it fly. With deadly accuracy, it met its mark, the man in front finding his hand now attached to his face by means of an arrow. There was barely the space of a breath between that wound and the next, hitting the mark of the man's chest. And, for good measure, he let one more fly into his face. This one, it seemed, was a well-planned fatal blow to the head.
Men all died the same, it seemed. With their mouths open and their eyes vacant.
Emilios, as bitter and angry as he was at that moment, didn't want her to have to deal with the guilt that could come from ending a life. So he tried to take care of the others before she could fire off any death blows.
Emilios didn't need to tell her to be quiet. She'd never been one for hysterics.. never the fainting violet. Then again, which of the Leventi girls were? They all had their own feminine strength, though it was all unique to themselves. She moved stealthfully to her bow; her feet barely scraping on the marble floor of the balcony as she took up her weapon again. The alcohol she'd had to drink wasn't enough to calm her nerves and her fingers trembled as she notched the arrow; keeping her head down beneath the level of the banister. From this height, they definitely had the advantage, though there was only so much they could do with a pair of bows. As the flame of the arrow rent the air, she followed it's path back to the shadows; drawing the string back and waiting for the darkness to move. But Emilios stood; disbursing three arrows before she'd even seen the shadow move.
Before he lowered his bow, three shadows fell to the ground in the street. She gasped audibly and lowered her bow with her shaky hand; her eyes searched the shadows for another threat, but there were none... at least not yet or that she could see. She was well aware that this wasn't over. Three men couldn't set fire to the city alone.
Adrenaline coursed through her blood now; unspent and in need or release. She shook her head and flexed her hand; willing them to stop shaking; to forget the figures laying below with arrows through their bodies. The sound of Emilios's bow as the string was released in three quick successions still echoed in her head and she watched as he sat back down. He'd shown her how fast he was in the past. She thought it a novelty; a product of his training and immense practice. She'd never been that quick. She'd always needed time to line up; to take aim and center herself in order to hit her target. But archery to her wasn't a way of life. It was merely a hobby and something the two of them had bonded over. Like taking up a sport because your lover enjoyed it. ...Though she actually did enjoy archery.
when he sank back down to be consumed by the shadows again, she rested her bow on the floor. She stared at him wide-eyed as she spoke softly so no one could hear them below. "You killed them...." She left it there...pausing for a long moment unintentionally letting him take that however he wished before she continued. "You killed them and I didn't even see their shadow...." She remembered their time hunting. Well...really, he hunted... she just went along so they could be alone. To talk and laugh and banter. She'd shot a few rabbits here and there with his guidance, but that had been all.. he'd felled deer and all manner of game. ,,,Well...when they actually hunted and didn't dissolve into a tangle of arms and limbs; fabric and lust. It was always so easy with him. Once he'd brushed passed her cool exterior and found his way to her heart she could never have enough of him. She'd let herself be vulnerable with him; left her heart unguarded; so sure he would never injure it. Every promise he made he'd widdled away more and more of her defense. And now they were both rubbed raw.
She wanted him. Fiercely she wanted him. Despite his brother. Despite the city on fire and his anger at her not telling him immediately about the engagement. Despite the friction between them and the death of his Uncle and his cousin. It was consuming. And the fact that he'd just slain the dragons and kept them at bay... to protect her and keep her and her family safe.. Even if it was only at the behest of his brother, she'd never wanted him more.
But it wasn't the right time for this.. it wasn't the right place. Despite everything, sense and logic won out. Because there was doubt now. Bricks had been placed between him and her heart; the months it took to strip them away, they were slowly stacking back up. They were next to impossible to remove in the first place; the amount of work he'd done for her to let her guard down. And in a matter of hours, weeks of dedication were being erased. Because if he walked away.. if those fletchings were the final gift, he would break her.
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Staff Team
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Emilios didn't need to tell her to be quiet. She'd never been one for hysterics.. never the fainting violet. Then again, which of the Leventi girls were? They all had their own feminine strength, though it was all unique to themselves. She moved stealthfully to her bow; her feet barely scraping on the marble floor of the balcony as she took up her weapon again. The alcohol she'd had to drink wasn't enough to calm her nerves and her fingers trembled as she notched the arrow; keeping her head down beneath the level of the banister. From this height, they definitely had the advantage, though there was only so much they could do with a pair of bows. As the flame of the arrow rent the air, she followed it's path back to the shadows; drawing the string back and waiting for the darkness to move. But Emilios stood; disbursing three arrows before she'd even seen the shadow move.
Before he lowered his bow, three shadows fell to the ground in the street. She gasped audibly and lowered her bow with her shaky hand; her eyes searched the shadows for another threat, but there were none... at least not yet or that she could see. She was well aware that this wasn't over. Three men couldn't set fire to the city alone.
Adrenaline coursed through her blood now; unspent and in need or release. She shook her head and flexed her hand; willing them to stop shaking; to forget the figures laying below with arrows through their bodies. The sound of Emilios's bow as the string was released in three quick successions still echoed in her head and she watched as he sat back down. He'd shown her how fast he was in the past. She thought it a novelty; a product of his training and immense practice. She'd never been that quick. She'd always needed time to line up; to take aim and center herself in order to hit her target. But archery to her wasn't a way of life. It was merely a hobby and something the two of them had bonded over. Like taking up a sport because your lover enjoyed it. ...Though she actually did enjoy archery.
when he sank back down to be consumed by the shadows again, she rested her bow on the floor. She stared at him wide-eyed as she spoke softly so no one could hear them below. "You killed them...." She left it there...pausing for a long moment unintentionally letting him take that however he wished before she continued. "You killed them and I didn't even see their shadow...." She remembered their time hunting. Well...really, he hunted... she just went along so they could be alone. To talk and laugh and banter. She'd shot a few rabbits here and there with his guidance, but that had been all.. he'd felled deer and all manner of game. ,,,Well...when they actually hunted and didn't dissolve into a tangle of arms and limbs; fabric and lust. It was always so easy with him. Once he'd brushed passed her cool exterior and found his way to her heart she could never have enough of him. She'd let herself be vulnerable with him; left her heart unguarded; so sure he would never injure it. Every promise he made he'd widdled away more and more of her defense. And now they were both rubbed raw.
She wanted him. Fiercely she wanted him. Despite his brother. Despite the city on fire and his anger at her not telling him immediately about the engagement. Despite the friction between them and the death of his Uncle and his cousin. It was consuming. And the fact that he'd just slain the dragons and kept them at bay... to protect her and keep her and her family safe.. Even if it was only at the behest of his brother, she'd never wanted him more.
But it wasn't the right time for this.. it wasn't the right place. Despite everything, sense and logic won out. Because there was doubt now. Bricks had been placed between him and her heart; the months it took to strip them away, they were slowly stacking back up. They were next to impossible to remove in the first place; the amount of work he'd done for her to let her guard down. And in a matter of hours, weeks of dedication were being erased. Because if he walked away.. if those fletchings were the final gift, he would break her.
Emilios didn't need to tell her to be quiet. She'd never been one for hysterics.. never the fainting violet. Then again, which of the Leventi girls were? They all had their own feminine strength, though it was all unique to themselves. She moved stealthfully to her bow; her feet barely scraping on the marble floor of the balcony as she took up her weapon again. The alcohol she'd had to drink wasn't enough to calm her nerves and her fingers trembled as she notched the arrow; keeping her head down beneath the level of the banister. From this height, they definitely had the advantage, though there was only so much they could do with a pair of bows. As the flame of the arrow rent the air, she followed it's path back to the shadows; drawing the string back and waiting for the darkness to move. But Emilios stood; disbursing three arrows before she'd even seen the shadow move.
Before he lowered his bow, three shadows fell to the ground in the street. She gasped audibly and lowered her bow with her shaky hand; her eyes searched the shadows for another threat, but there were none... at least not yet or that she could see. She was well aware that this wasn't over. Three men couldn't set fire to the city alone.
Adrenaline coursed through her blood now; unspent and in need or release. She shook her head and flexed her hand; willing them to stop shaking; to forget the figures laying below with arrows through their bodies. The sound of Emilios's bow as the string was released in three quick successions still echoed in her head and she watched as he sat back down. He'd shown her how fast he was in the past. She thought it a novelty; a product of his training and immense practice. She'd never been that quick. She'd always needed time to line up; to take aim and center herself in order to hit her target. But archery to her wasn't a way of life. It was merely a hobby and something the two of them had bonded over. Like taking up a sport because your lover enjoyed it. ...Though she actually did enjoy archery.
when he sank back down to be consumed by the shadows again, she rested her bow on the floor. She stared at him wide-eyed as she spoke softly so no one could hear them below. "You killed them...." She left it there...pausing for a long moment unintentionally letting him take that however he wished before she continued. "You killed them and I didn't even see their shadow...." She remembered their time hunting. Well...really, he hunted... she just went along so they could be alone. To talk and laugh and banter. She'd shot a few rabbits here and there with his guidance, but that had been all.. he'd felled deer and all manner of game. ,,,Well...when they actually hunted and didn't dissolve into a tangle of arms and limbs; fabric and lust. It was always so easy with him. Once he'd brushed passed her cool exterior and found his way to her heart she could never have enough of him. She'd let herself be vulnerable with him; left her heart unguarded; so sure he would never injure it. Every promise he made he'd widdled away more and more of her defense. And now they were both rubbed raw.
She wanted him. Fiercely she wanted him. Despite his brother. Despite the city on fire and his anger at her not telling him immediately about the engagement. Despite the friction between them and the death of his Uncle and his cousin. It was consuming. And the fact that he'd just slain the dragons and kept them at bay... to protect her and keep her and her family safe.. Even if it was only at the behest of his brother, she'd never wanted him more.
But it wasn't the right time for this.. it wasn't the right place. Despite everything, sense and logic won out. Because there was doubt now. Bricks had been placed between him and her heart; the months it took to strip them away, they were slowly stacking back up. They were next to impossible to remove in the first place; the amount of work he'd done for her to let her guard down. And in a matter of hours, weeks of dedication were being erased. Because if he walked away.. if those fletchings were the final gift, he would break her.
